Paddling a kayak or canoe down a river or along a lake is an ideal way to enjoy the waning days of summer or the gorgeous days of fall.
And there are a bevy of options in the Akron-Canton area.
Lakes and reservoirs offer spectacular views across open water. Rivers snake through wilderness and provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Paddling is especially rewarding in the age of digital devices and constant communication. Exercise is another benefit, working your arms, shoulders and core muscles, as well as the heart and lungs.
Paulette Daniels, co-owner of Canal Fulton Canoe Livery, said the benefits of kayaking and canoeing are numerous. Paddleboarding is an option, too.
“You’re going to see turtles, you’re going to see deer,” she said. “I have pictures of bald eagles and owls − it’s amazing what my patrons come and send me pictures of.”
“It’s stress relief,” Daniels added. “You’re actually unplugging and enjoying what’s outside. You’re enjoying nature, you’re enjoying the outdoors, and you’re enjoying the different seasons.”
“And it’s a great way for people to make memories,” she said of spending time with friends and family. “You’re going to carry them with you for the rest of your life.”
So where are some of the best places for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding in NE Ohio? Here’s some suggestions.
1. Wingfoot Lake State Park
Wingfoot Lake State Park is a prized slice of nature in Portage County in Suffield Township in the Akron area.
The property’s backstory as a former Goodyear Tire Co. retreat is fascinating. Natural beauty rivals most parks in Ohio. Boating and fishing are welcome on the spacious lake. Hiking trails twist through woods. A playground, disc golf course, picnic shelters, dog park, and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts are other attractions.
It’s also a superb spot for kayaking. One-person kayaks cost $20 per hour; two-person kayaks are $25 per hour. Or you can take your own kayak, which must be registered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Making the destination extra special is the possibility of seeing the Goodyear blimp fly to and from its hangar on the lake’s south shore. Parts of the lake are also covered with lillies, which add to the diversity of scenery.
Kayaks can be rented at the Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.
Kayaking classes are also offered for free. Check online under events for sessions at Wingfoot Lake State Park via https://www.ohiodnr.gov.home.
For more information about Wingfoot Lake State Park, call (330) 628-4720.
And there’s also a fun spot to dine and unwind after adventuring on the lake. Crafted Artisan Meadery is less than five minutes away near the intersection of Route 43 and Waterloo Road in Suffield near Mogadore.
Other state parks where you can kayak include Portage Lakes State Park, Lake Milton State Park, Salt Fork State Park and South Bass Island State Park. For more information, go to https://www.ohiodnr.gov.home.
2. Canal Fulton Canoe Livery
With more than two decades of combined business experience, Daniels and Don Baker, co-owners of Canal Fulton Canoe Livery, are pros when it comes to waterborne good times.
The small city of Canal Fulton is charming and history rich. Restaurants and ice cream shops are among the draws. Nestled along the Ohio & Erie Canalway and the Towpath Trail, Canal Fulton has ample recreational opportunities.
And the Tuscarawas River is perfect for kayaking and canoeing. Both are rented out at Canal Fulton Canoe Livery, 219 W. Cherry St. (state Route 93); paddleboards are not, but you are welcome to bring one as long as it’s not inflatable, Daniels said. Tubes are not permitted.
Moonlight cruises will be offered on Sept. 6 and Oct. 4. The livery has camping, too.
During moonlight cruises, kayakers can wear headlamps or use flashlights and glowsticks to help light the way. Stay out as long or short as you want between the hours of 7 and 11:30 p.m. Kayaks and canoes must be on the water by 9 p.m.
“It’s a whole different experience the night from daytime, and you see and hear different things,” Daniels said. “It’s amazing.”
Special events also include Craft Brew & Canoe, which features microbeer tasting at the Barrel Room in Canal Fulton, followed by a moonlight kayak or canoe trip at the livery. For future craft beer-themed outings, check the livery’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CanalFultonCanoeLivery/.
Daytime trip options are 3, 6, 8 and 11 miles. For prices and more information, go to https://cfcanoe.com.
You also can bring your own kayak or canoe, as long as it’s registered with the ODNR, and pay a transport fee to ride a shuttle back to the livery. Paddleboards do not have to be registered.
The livery accepts walk-ons, but Daniels recommends making reservations online in advance. For more information, call 330-854-4008.
The livery is open from early May through late October, weather dependent, Daniels said.
3. Walborn Reservoir in Stark County
Walborn Reservoir is an underappreciated gem near Alliance.
Another kayaking destination in Stark Parks is Sippo Lake Park in Perry Township. Rentals are available at Sippo Lake Marina, 5300 Tyner St.
Walborn Reservoir is worth the drive, an escape from densely populated areas and commercialization.
The county park encompasses roughly 1,800 acres of terrain and water. Activities include horseback riding, hiking, fishing and boating. Surroundings are a mix of pine woods, oak and hickory forests and wildflower areas.
Kayaks can be rented single or tandem by the half hour at Walborn Marina, 11324 Price St. NE in Lexington Township. Renting two single kayaks for roughly 90 minutes cost a total of $54 on a recent weekday. Discounts are given to Stark County residents − $10 an hour Monday through Thursday and $15 an hour Friday and Saturday for single-person kayaks (rates are $12 weekdays and $17 weekends per hour for single kayaks for non-Stark County residents).
Canoes also can be rented. The marina is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For more information, call the marina at 330-935-0367.
Kayaking tips include checking the weather forecast; wearing water friendly shoes; using sunscreen in the summer; staying hydrated; telling a friend or family member where you are kayaking and when you expect to return; and bringing a sealable plastic bag to store wallets and valuables to prevent water damage. Cellphones and car keys should be stored in a bag that will float.
Walborn Reservoir offers another bonus − it’s a quick drive to New Baltimore Homemade Ice Cream, a welcome treat following a kayaking excursion. The homemade ice cream is among the best in the area.
4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a natural wonderland.
The only national park in Ohio, it’s an eclectic treasure, featuring lakes, ponds, woodlands, forests, biking and hiking trails, historic sites, rock formations, waterfalls, and overlooks.
Weaving through the sprawling park is the Cuyahoga River. Designated an Ohio Water Trail, the river has made a remarkable comeback after being a posterchild for pollution decades ago. The lower half is designated a National Water Trail. About 25 miles of the 100-mile river flow through the national park.
While the national park doesn’t rent kayaks and canoes, there are plenty of access points if you bring you’re own, including Northampton Point; Lock 29 Trailhead in Peninsula; the Boston Store Trailhead on Boston Mills Road; and Red Lock Trailhead at Vaughn and Highland roads.
Northampton in Cuyahoga Falls is the newest access point, and is a 6-mile and two to three-hour kayaking trip from Summit Metro Parks’ Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park. Equipment rental and shuttles are available through Cuyahoga Valley Adventures, 1570 Akron Peninsula Road in the Merriman Valley.
For more information, Cuyahoga Valley Adventures can be reached at 330-298-5009.
Another option for shuttling within the national park is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Explorer Program, which is a one-way ticket for bicyclists, hikers and paddlers, said Pamela Barnes, public information officer for the national park. Kayaks can be stored on the train, so you can travel to your put-in destination and paddle back to your vehicle, she said.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is easily accessible from the Akron area, both off state Route 8 and Interstate 77.
Compared to lakes and some other rivers, the Cuyahoga can be challenging for beginners and experienced kayakers alike, featuring rapids, rocks, logs and debris. Water flow and currents also can be swift and powerful, depending on the river depth and if there’s been recent rainfall.
The national park cautions kayakers to paddle at their own risk. Kayaking also should be avoided during high water. Drownings have occurred in the river, the park notes.
Barnes recommends safety tips for kayakers:
5. Trailhead Canoe Livery in Massillon
Trailhead Canoe Livery, 135 Lake Ave. NW in Massillon, offers a convenient access point and rental service for Stark County residents.
Trailhead Canoe Livery opened in 2008, offering canoe and kayak rentals along a calm and scenic stretch of the Tuscarawas River, the business’ website says.
Like other canoe liveries, trips vary in length while taking you through parts of the river tucked within wilderness. Other parts of the river coast past residential areas and underneath bridges.
Reservations are required. For more information, call 330-832-5111. For hours, rates and other details, go to https://www.trailheadcanoelivery.com.
Kayaking and canoeing options also include Tuscarawas County at NTR Canoe Livery, 11358 state Route 212 NE in Bolivar, and on the Mohican River in Wayne County at Mohican Adventures Canoe Livery Fun Center, 3045 state Route 3 South in Loudonville. Tubing is also available at both liveries.
Another standout kayaking destination in Northeast Ohio is Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, which allows the use of privately-owned kayaks and canoes from March 1 through Nov. 30 that comply with Mill Creek MetroParks regulations. Lake Glacier and Lake Newport are both within the sprawling urban park. Kayaks and pedal boats can be rented at Glacier Boathouse on West Glacier Drive.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: The best spots to kayak, canoe and paddleboard in the Akron-Canton area
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
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